Outside of a Small Circle of Friends

Lyrics in Songwriting Example:
"Outside of a Small Circle of Friends" music and lyrics by Phil Ochs

Today I'd like to talk about another great song. I first heard this song when I was in college and I liked it right away...primarily because of the rag-tag-old-time feel and of course because of the clever, cutting lyrics. I really hadn't given it much thought except that it was a 'funny' song that made a statement about human nature (i.e. how people tend to hide their heads in the sand when it comes to important issues...it's just 'easier' that way).

Well, that said, everything changed for me when I did a little research about it for my class. I was shocked to learn that Phil Ochs wrote this song as a commentary on the murder of 28-year old Kitty Genovese (see link below). She was murdered in New York City on Friday, March 13, 1964. 38 people heard her cries for help but no-one came to her aid... no-one even called the police. Not funny at all. Just horrible and chilling. I don't think I'll ever be able to listen to this song the same way again...

Outside Of A Small Circle Of Friends
By Phil Ochs (music and lyrics)

Look outside the window, there's a woman being grabbed
They've dragged her to the bushes and now she's being stabbed
Maybe we should call the cops and try to stop the pain
But Monopoly is so much fun, I'd hate to blow the game
And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody
Outside of a small circle of friends.

Riding down the highway, yes, my back is getting stiff
Thirteen cars are piled up, they're hanging on a cliff.
Maybe we should pull them back with our towing chain
But we gotta move and we might get sued and it looks like it's gonna rain
And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody
Outside of a small circle of friends.

Sweating in the ghetto with the colored and the poor
The rats have joined the babies who are sleeping on the floor
Now wouldn't it be a riot if they really blew their tops?
But they got too much already and besides we got the cops
And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody
Outside of a small circle of friends.

Oh there's a dirty paper using sex to make a sale
The Supreme Court was so upset, they sent him off to jail.
Maybe we should help the fiend and take away his fine.
But we're busy reading Playboy and the Sunday New York Times
And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody
Outside of a small circle of friends

Smoking marijuana is more fun than drinking beer,
But a friend of ours was captured and they gave him thirty years
Maybe we should raise our voices, ask somebody why
But demonstrations are a drag, besides we're much too high
And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody
Outside of a small circle of friends

Oh look outside the window, there's a woman being grabbed
They've dragged her to the bushes and now she's being stabbed
Maybe we should call the cops and try to stop the pain
But Monopoly is so much fun, I'd hate to blow the game
And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody
Outside of a small circle of friends

Phil Ochs: 20th Century Masters The Best of Phil Ochs (CD) with "Outside of a Small Circle of Friends"

20th Century Masters: Best Of Phil Ochs


Phil Ochs Links:
20th Century Masters: Best Of Phil Ochs CD
Info about the First Verse
Phil Ochs Wikipedia